ABSTRACT
Oil-spill containment boom design involves a broad area of technology: air-oil-water flow in the presence of a moving barrier, wave mechanics, and motions of bodies acted on by winds, waves, and currents. Although many devices have been designed to control oil spills, systematic parametric studies and published engineering design data have been scarce. For this reason, we have studied fundamental design parameters and tested their application to boom design with models in towing tanks and a full-scale sea trial in the Santa Barbara Channel. The results have been applied to a boom owned by Clean Seas, Inc.
This work has developed the proper relationships between the size and shape of boom modules and waves to (1) achieve in-phase motions, (2) determine the optimum net depth for a net-system boom, (3) reduce modular interaction and damage, (4) reduce boom tensions, and (5) determine boom strength requirements. All these are interrelated, but the various parameters are presented by categories. The test results supporting these parameters are also presented.